Branched Hairbrush Tines And A Hairbrush Incorporating Branched Tines

ABSTRACT

A hairbrush has a plurality of molded tines, each with a main shaft and a first branch extending from the shaft. The first branch extends at a point between the base of the shaft and the free end of the shaft, and is oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair. The tines may be arranged such that the first branch of one tine is randomly oriented relative to the first branch of adjacent tines. The tines may have a second branch extending from the shaft at a point between the base of the shaft and the first branch. The first and second branches extend in a radial direction from the shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to molded hairbrush tines and a hairbrush made with such tines for combing and brushing hair.

2. Background

Hairbrushes with molded tines, bristles or teeth are known. Hair brushes with molded tines (as opposed to, for example, brushes with bundles or tufts of extruded fiber bristles secured by staples in holes in a solid base, backbone, rod or core) generally comprise several rows of tines either integrally molded, over-molded or assembled onto a core. Each row typically has a plurality of tines. Generally, the profile, shape or design of each of the tines is the same throughout the brush head. Also each tine generally has a circular or semi-circular cross-section.

Known molded tine hairbrushes have a limited capacity to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.

Accordingly, there is a need for a molded tine hairbrush with improved ability to comb and separate hair.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hairbrush has a plurality of molded tines, each with a main shaft and a first and a second branch extending from the shaft. The first branch extends at a point between the base of the shaft and the free end of the shaft. The second branch extends from the shaft at a point between the base of the shaft and up to and including a height of the first branch. The first and second branches extend in a radial direction from the shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the free end and to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first and/or second branch are oriented on the shaft and dimensioned to adapt the tine to comb and separate tangled, matted hair.

The invention also relates to a tine adapted to be secured to a base of a hairbrush. The tine has a main shaft with a first end adapted to be secured to the base of the hairbrush, and an opposite free end. The main shaft defines a longitudinal axis and has a length taken from the first end to the free end. At least a first branch extends from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end. The first branch extends in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the free end of the shaft and to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. A second branch may extend from the main shaft at a point between the first end and up to and including a height of the first branch on the shaft. The second branch may extend radially from the shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the free end and to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first branch is oriented on the shaft and dimensioned to adapt the tine to comb and separate tangled, matted hair. The second branch may be similarly mounted on the shaft in an orientation and dimension adapted to comb and separate tangled, matted hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hairbrush incorporating the brush head with molded tines of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the brush head with molded tines of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1 partially assembled;

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of a first embodiment of a molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an elevation view of a second embodiment of a molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is an elevation view of a third embodiment of a molded tine of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating assembly of molded tines into the brush head of the hairbrush of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevation view illustrating molded tines after installation into the brush head of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the brush head of the present invention illustrating an orientation of the tine branches relative to one another;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view illustrating assembly of a molded tine into the brush head of the hairbrush of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation view illustrating a molded tine after installation into the brush head of the hairbrush shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a hairbrush 2 incorporating a brush head 4 with molded tines 6 of the present invention is shown. The hairbrush includes a handle 8 (shown in broken lines) adapted to be grasped by the user. The handle 8 is connected to a base 10 that is adapted to support at least one molded tine 6, and preferably a plurality of molded tines 6, that extend from the base 10.

For clarity, “tines” are generally understood to be prongs extending from an implement. “Bristles” are generally understood to be stiff, hair-like structures. “Teeth” are generally understood to be projecting parts each resembling a tooth in shape or function, as on a comb, gear, or saw. As used herein, the terms “tines”, “bristles” or “teeth” in singular or plural form are used interchangeably to designate any thin, stiff prong, projection, projecting part or structure extending from a supporting backbone, rod, core or base. The molded tines, bristles and teeth having at least a first branch oriented and dimensioned to adapt the tine to comb and separate tangled, matted hair.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, each tine 6 has a main shaft 12 with a base end or first end 14. The first end 14 is adapted to be secured to the base 10 of the brush head 4 by, for example, integrally molding, over-molding, bi-injection molding, adhering, welding, staking, friction fit or other well know means or method. In the illustrations, the first end 14 of the shaft 12 is staked to the base 10 by way of a bayonet 24. The bayonet 24 is comprised of an enlarged collar 26 and a flared nib 28 connected by a reduced diameter portion 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8, the base 10 has a surface 34 with a plurality of bores 32 for receiving the tines 6. The bayonet 24 of a tine is secured to the base 10 by forcing the flared nib 28 through one of the bores 32. Each bore 32 is dimensioned to receive in close fit the reduced diameter portion 30 of the bayonet 24. A shoulder 36 formed by the intersection of the side and bottom of the collar 26 abuts the surface 34 of the base.

The shaft 12 has an opposite free end 16. The shaft 12 defines a longitudinal axis 18, and the shaft 12 has a length LL taken from the point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 at the first end 14 to the free end 16. A first branch 20 extends from the shaft 12 at a point between the first end 14 and the free end 16. The first branch 20 extends in a radial direction from the shaft 12 at an angle AA of 5° to 90° relative to the free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis 18 of the shaft 12. The first branch 20 is oriented on the shaft and dimensioned to adapt the tine, and thereby a brush including the tine, to comb and separate tangled, matted hair. It is believed that this improved action of the brush tine is because at least some portion of the hair being brushed or combed is captured by the branch 20 above the surface 34, thus lifting and separating it from portions of the hair being brushed or combed that pass closer to or touch the surface 34. In effect, the tine with a branch 20 divides hair into smaller, more manageable portions as the brush is drawn through tangled, matted hair.

At least some of the tines 6 may have a second branch 22 extending from the shaft 12 at a point between the first end 14 and up to and including a height Y of the first branch 20 on the shaft 12 taken from the point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34. The second branch 22 extends radially from the shaft 12 at an angle BB of 5° to 90° relative to the free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis 18. The second branch 22 further adapts the tine, and thereby the brush head 4, to better comb and separate tangled, matted hair in a manner similar to the first branch 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the tines 6 can be identical in size, branch configuration and branch orientation (though branch orientation is illustrated as random in FIG. 1), or branched tines can be mixed with non-branched tines. The branches 20, 22 may be straight (as shown) or curved (not illustrated). Each tine 6 and respective branch or branches 20, 22 may be provided with any cross-section suitable to the intended purpose of the brush head. The distribution of the branches 20, 22 along the shaft 12 may be at the same height relative to the first end 14, or may be located at different heights along the shaft 12. Adjacent tines 6 on a brush head 4 may have branches 20, 22 located at the same height, or adjacent tines 6 on a brush head 4 may have branches 20, 22 located at different heights. Adjacent tines 6 may be identical in shape, configuration and dimensions, or may be different in at least one of shape, configuration and dimensions. Similarly, branches 20, 22 on the same tine 6, or on adjacent tines 6, may be identical in shape, configuration and dimensions, or may be different in at least one of shape, configuration and dimensions. Each brush head 4 may have all identical tines 6 or may have different tines 6 and/or different branches 20, 22 mixed together. Rows of branched tines may be alternated with rows of tines having no branches. Alternatively, within each row, tines with branches 20, 22 may be alternated with tines having no branches. The possible variations and combinations are infinite.

The brush head 4 may be further adapted to comb and separate tangled and matted hair by randomly orienting at least the first branch 20 or second branch 22 of one tine 6 relative to the first branch 20 or second branch 22 of an adjacent tine or tines 6. Preferably, the first branch 20 on each of the plurality of tines 6 is randomly oriented with respect to the first branch 20 or the second branch 22 on adjacent ones of the remainder of the plurality of tines 6. The random orientation is best illustrated, for example, in the top plan view of FIG. 6 looking down at the surface 34 of the brush head 4 wherein a tine 6 has a first branch 20 oriented in a first direction, and tines 6′ and 6″ have first branches 20′ and 20″, respectively, oriented in second and third directions relative to the first direction. Similarly, the second branch 22 of a tine 6 may also be randomly oriented relative to the first branch 20 or the second branch 22 of adjacent ones of the remainder of the tines 6. It is believed that this random arrangement of the branches of the tines may further facilitate combing and separation of matted and tangled hair by further separating hair into even smaller portions as the brush is drawn through tangled, matted hair.

While the embodiments described herein are illustrated with each tine 6 of the plurality of tines having at least a first branch 20, it will be understood that the brush head may include some tines with two or more branches (for example, first and second branches 20, 22, respectively) and/or some tines with no branches at all. It is the intention of the inventors that as long as at least some of the tines 6 of the brush include a first branch 20, or a first branch 20 and second branch 22, the invention is embodied in the brush. For example, each row of tines can include the branched tines of the invention alone, or alternatively, a mix of the branched tines of the invention and conventional tines (e.g., no branches).

The first branch 20 and second branch 22 may extend from the shaft 12 in the same direction. Alternatively, the first branch 20 may extend from the shaft 12 in a first radial direction and the second branch 22 may extend from the shaft 12 in a second radial direction. The second radial direction may, for example, be opposite the first radial direction as illustrated in the Figures.

The angle of the first branch 20 relative to the longitudinal axis 18 may be the same as the angle of the second branch 22, or the angles of the first branch 20 and second branch 22 may be different angles. The angle AA, BB is 5° to 90° relative to the free end 16 and to the longitudinal axis 18 of the shaft 12. At least one of the first branch 20 or the second branch 22 has a length that is at least 5% of the length LL of the shaft 18. Adjacent tines 6 may be equally spaced or the tines may be offset from each other or randomly spaced.

While brush head 4 with a plurality of tines 6, at least some of which have at least a first branch 20, is described above as embodying the invention, the invention is also embodied in the individual tines 6 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3A-3C. Each tine 6 has a main shaft 12 defining a longitudinal axis 18. A first end 14 of the shaft 12 is adapted to be secured to the base 10 of the brush head 4. The shaft 12 has an opposite free end 16. A length LL of the shaft 12 is taken from the point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 at the first end 14 to the free end 16. A first branch 20 extends from the shaft 12 at a height Y, i.e., a point on the shaft 12 between where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 and the free end 16. A second branch 22 extends from the shaft 12 at a height Z, i.e., between a point on the shaft 12 where the shaft 12 emerges from the surface 34 and up to and including the height Y of the first branch 20 on the shaft 12. The first branch 20 and a second branch 22 extend in a radial direction from the shaft 12 at an angle AA, BB, respectively, of 5° to 90° relative to the free end 16 and the longitudinal axis 18 of the shaft 12. The first branch 20 and/or the second branch 22 are oriented on the shaft and dimensioned to adapt the tine, and thereby a brush including the tine, to comb and separate tangled, matted hair. It is believed that this improved action of the tine is because at least some portion of the hair being brushed or combed is captured by the branch 20 or 22 above the surface 34, thus lifting and separating it from portions of the hair being brushed or combed that pass closer to or touch the surface 34 of the brush head. In effect, the tine with at least one branch 20 divides hair into smaller portions for processing. The tine may be assembled in a brush head such that the first branch is randomly oriented relative to the first branch of adjacent tines to further facilitate the ability to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.

Whether in a plurality of tines or as an individual tine, the first branch 20 may extend from the shaft 12 in a first radial direction and the second branch 22 may extend from the shaft 12 in the same radial direction (see FIG. 3C) or in a second different radial direction (FIG. 3B). The second radial direction may be opposite the first radial direction. The angle AA of the first branch 20 may be the same as the angle BB of the second branch 22, or the angles of the first branch 20 and second branch 22 may be different. Preferably, at least one of the first branch 20 or the second branch 22 has a length that is at least 5% of the length LL of the shaft 12.

The brush head tines 6 and the brush head 4 may be made by injection molding (or any other suitable molding means) from any suitable plastic material. Preferred materials are, such as, for example, polymers including silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer—SEBS), vinyl elastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (e.g., Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Pelethane® from Dow Plastic), Nitrile or EPDM. Hardness of the material is preferably from about 35 MPa (35 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours) to about 1180 MPa (82 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours). More preferably, tensile modulus ranges from about 95 MPa (45 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours) to about 570 MPa (72 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours). Most preferably, tensile modulus ranges from about 200 MPa (55 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours) to about 280 MPa (63 Shore D Hytrel® from DuPont de Nemours).

The tines 6 may have any size, shape and spacing suitable for intended purposes and functions, e.g., arrangement and/or separation of matted or tangled hair. Preferably, but not necessarily, the tines 6 have an average height LL ranging from about 1 mm to about 30 mm. More preferably, the tines 6 have an average height from about 5 mm to about 25 mm and, most preferably, from about 10 mm to about 18 mm. The average cross-sectional diameter of the tines 6 preferably ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. More preferably, the cross-sectional diameter of the tines ranges from about 1 mm to about 3 mm and most preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm.

The brush head and tines of the invention may be used for any hair combing, brushing or styling operation.

While the invention has been described and illustrated as embodied in preferred forms of construction, it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention recited in the following claims. 

1. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, each of at least some of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end to the free end; and a first branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
 2. The hairbrush of claim 1 further comprising a second branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and up to and including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the second branch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis, the second branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
 3. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein the first branch extends from the main shaft in a first radial direction and the second branch extends from the main shaft in a second radial direction.
 4. The hairbrush of claim 3 where in the second radial direction is opposite the first radial direction.
 5. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein the angle of the first branch is the same as the angle of the second branch.
 6. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the first branch has a length that is at least 5% of the length of the shaft.
 7. The hairbrush of claim 2 wherein at least one of the first branch or the second branch has a length that is at least 5% of the length of the shaft.
 8. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines are made from a material selected from one of silicone elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl elastomer, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, Nitrile and EPDM.
 9. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a hardness of from about 35 MPa to about 1180 MPa.
 10. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a hardness of from about 95 MPa to about 570 MPa.
 11. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines are made from a material having a hardness of from about 200 MPa to about 280 MPa.
 12. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average height ranging from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.
 13. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average height from about 5 mm to about 25 mm.
 14. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average height from about 10 mm to about 18 mm.
 15. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm.
 16. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter of from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.
 17. The hairbrush of claim 1 wherein the at least some of the plurality of molded tines have an average cross-sectional diameter of from about 1.5 mm to about 2 mm.
 18. A tine for a hairbrush with a base, the tine comprising: a main shaft having a first end adapted to be secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end to the free end; and a first branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
 19. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, at least some of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end to the free end; a first branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair; and a second branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and up to and including a height of the first branch on the shaft, the second branch extending radially from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis, the second branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair.
 20. A hairbrush comprising: a base adapted to be secured to a handle; a plurality of molded tines extending from the base, each of the plurality of molded tines having: a main shaft having a first end secured to the base, and an opposite free end, the main shaft defining a longitudinal axis and a length taken from the first end to the free end; and a first branch extending from the main shaft at a point between the first end and the free end, the first branch extending in a radial direction from the main shaft at an angle of 5° to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the first branch being oriented on the shaft and dimensioned such that the tine is adapted to comb and separate tangled or matted hair; wherein the first branch on one of the plurality of tines is randomly oriented with respect to the first branch on adjacent ones of the plurality of tines. 